DemonWheels

Not sure if the TV commentators have mentioned it (as I'm listening via SEN app) but there was absolute bedlam for people getting to the ground tonight. Power outage on the train lines and the trains weren't even stopping at Southern Cross before the game. Then everyone jumped in their cars and the roads were stuffed. Hence pretty poor crowd.

Freo were still up by 8 or 10 points with 3 mins to go but an unpaid mark at half forward for Freo (which should have been paid) goes down the other end and Carlton score. Game on from that point and momentum is huge in modern footy. The whole of umpiring needs reviewing and I think as a code we need to look at better options as it’s ridiculous how small little decisions unfortunately do affect a whole game when the comp is so so even and tight.

Geeeeepers I love Fritta and everything he does, but I think maybe even I take him for granted! Genuine A-Grader in our forward line.

Billings was brilliant.

Clarry’s kicking has been terrible

McDonald is so predictable

High scoring game so far

Trac still fumbling like last week

Reckon Fritta has added a few kgs based on the latest video posted by MFC socials - looks heavier than normal so wonder if he’s our stay at home FF?

Seems like there were lots of Demonlanders there today! It was certainly a good crowd. I was there as well for about 30 mins while the full ground drills were taking place and have to agree with most of what has been detailed already. Probably the biggest take-out in terms of players was Billings. He was busy and was getting the ball to distribute into the forward 50 consistently, ensuring his kicks were to leading forwards and to their advantage - low and hard. But for the most part I came away a bit disappointed with all other entries heading into F50 as most players in possession would virtually send a long kick into the forward line as soon as they passed the middle of the ground, giving defenders every chance to spoil and not really using the extra players around them to just get 20m or so closer and allow for a second lead (or even a proper extended lead) from the forwards. Still feel it was a bit ‘kick and hope’ in most scenarios and didn’t feel there was a discernible strategy going in BUT keen to hear from others who were there if they saw the same? I understand it was not a full match sim so maybe it wasn’t a focus but surely we should be taking every opportunity available to improve that aspect of our game.

Love this opportunity and the fact the Dees board feel comfortable advertising the possibility would suggest they’ve already jumped quite a few hurdles to get to this point and are happy with the direction it’s heading. We’re not homeless so let’s get it right and we’ll be happy for 50+ years while other inner city clubs are now running out of space.

Dropped in for a quick 30 minute visit while they happened to be doing match-sim for the bulk of that time. General Observations: – Quite open play with lots of kicking to targets both short and long – Coaches pushing for the kicker to follow-up and connect / overlap which happened more frequently after a bit of fatigue had set in – Good quality kicking and marking with the odd longer kick missing the target (bit blustery out there so forgivable) Player Observations: – Impressed by almost all of our tall young players getting involved in the match sim at certain times – Verrall and Adams did some good things and had some nice touches – Farris-White is a beast and didn’t look out of place – Jefferson did some good things and was quite amongst it to begin with, faded a bit towards the end. Did well in the earlier ‘marks-up’ one-on-one where he either beat or neutralised against JVR, Turner and one other tall (can’t recall who). He was quite agile in these marking attempts and got busy even if out of position to make a contest, he looks to be building to me – Fullarton looks a player as well – McVee, Bowey, Woey, Laurie, Rivers all getting touches and trying to link up through the middle – TMac playing as the last defender did an impressive job and his kicking was good too – All the new draftees don’t look too light in terms of body shape at all – Trac looks like a cat on a hot tin roof when he gets the footy, just electric feet – JVR looks primed and just doesn’t give in. Took a few nice grabs and just competes non-stop – Gawn looks fit, fresh and healthy. Took a few nice grabs as well and was actually jumping And lastly Tim Lamb was walking around the boundary with a big tall kid – who else but Kalani White. Looks like he was there for a bit of a meet and greet / orientation of sorts as he was introduced to Andrew McQualter. Go Dees.

His highlights are up there with the best of the same type of players from this draft year - he could be a ripper. Feel he’ll get the best out of himself regardless. Looks similar to and plays a lot like Sydney’s ‘The Lizard’ albeit with a shorter frame but the left foot and fast feet are a serious match.

Very excited by this selection. Been wanting some fast outside zip and class for a while - potential to make a huge difference over the coming years (if not straight away). Welcome Caleb!

Curtin off to Adelaide